INDONESIA v THAILAND

Fresh from a confidence-boosting 2-0 win over Hong Kong, Indonesia’s attention turns to a Thai side that notched the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship’s biggest ever win by putting 15 goals past Macau.

A win for either side will go a long way towards securing a place in the last eight,  Indonesian coach Kensuke Takahashi's stated aim for the tournament.

“Our first target is to advance from the group phase, so we now have to be prepared for both Thailand and Macau so that we can go through to the next stage,” he said.

‘Confidence’ was Takahashi’s pre-tournament buzzword, and with an opening-day win and with three points now in his side’s possession, the 35-year-old former Japan international believes it holds the key against a very strong Thai side.

“Maybe we’ll adjust some of the game plan against Thailand, but I think winning against Hong Kong gives the team a very good momentum and hopefully we can keep this momentum by qualifying for the next round.”

BANGLADESH v VIETNAM

Futsal beginners Bangladesh showed admirable spirit in their opening bow on the AFC stage, even taking an unlikely early lead before eventually failing to a 7-1 defeat the hands of an experienced Malaysian side.

Masura Parvin’s thumping early goal gave the South Asians permission to dream when she put them 1-0 up within two minutes, but inexperience ultimately told for the side with an average age of just 16.

Reflecting on his side’s relatively encouraging tournament debut, Bangladesh boss Golam Robbani Choton said their lack of experience proved costly.

Second-half goals from Febriana and Fitri made all the difference for the Southeast Asians, who earned all three points with a performance that showed they well and truly belong on the Asian stage.

In a hotly-contested opening match, early goal scoring opportunities proved hard to come by as both teams took their tentative first steps in the year’s biggest tournament.

Hong Kong enjoyed a slight edge in terms of early possession, but Indonesia – marshalled confidently by skipper Novita – defended strongly to produce a first half arm wrestle

The contest burst into life four minutes before half time, when Hong Kong’s dual international Cheung Wai Ki flashed a low right-footed effort inches wide of the left hand upright.

Indonesia’s Fitri fired a powerful strike high and wide at the opposite end seconds later, but neither side found the guile required to unlock their opponent’s defence, and they remained deadlocked at half-time.

Udom Taveesuk’s side scored five times in the first eight minutes, and registered a tournament scoring record in a one-sided affair between two sides at opposite stages of their futsal development

Sasicha Pohothiwong led the scoring with five goals, while Darika Peanpailun scored three on a night where the goals came thick, fast and almost unrelentingly.

Macau’s resistance lasted just over 60 seconds, with Sasicha giving Thailand a near-instant lead after being set up by Mutita Senkram, before the lethal finisher doubled her tally in the third minute – signalling a long night ahead for the debutants.

Nimrattanasing Jiraprapa hammered home a third two minutes later, and by the time Darika beat goalkeeper Ho Ka I from an acute angle, the hosts had scored their fourth goal in less than six minutes.

With Thailand’s passing game leaving their opponents chasing shadows, Jenjira Bubpha slammed home a fifth in the eight minute, before Darika brought up the half dozen six minutes later, then completed her hat-trick just over four minutes before half time.

Macau’s troubles were summed up when confusion over a kick-in routine saw the ball left alone on the floor, allowing Sasicha to steal the ball unopposed and narrowly miss out on completing her hat-trick.

She wouldn’t have much longer to wait, however, tapping home her third with a minute on the clock, before Mutita added her name to the ever-expanding scoresheet to make it 9-0 at half-time.